Bikaner Camel Safari

beautysan · Jul 1st, 2003, 13:55

I have limited time in India. But greedy as I am, I would like to take in anything and everything as much as possible.

I won't have time for Jaisalmer camel safari, so is the 2 days 1 night camel safari from Bikaner a good alternative?

npjai · Jul 13th, 2003, 17:29

Yes Bikaner's a good alternative. Another choice could be Khimsar if youre going there...the dunes there are great.

beautysan · Jul 16th, 2003, 15:21

Hey, anybody been to Karni Mata temple out at the desert around Bikaner?

It's one of the highlights of the Bikaner camel safari. Am looking forward to see the rats!

My travel mates are not too keen though...

Check out this link on the Rat Temple:
http://judypat.com/india/karnimata.htm

PeteE · Jul 16th, 2003, 17:35

Hi beautysan
I was there early last year. It is an intriguing experience with some great photo opportunities for the folks at home. Imagine some 30 rats sitting lined up on the edge of a large round pan sipping milk. And rats moving in and out tiny holes in the walls. Do bring (old) socks by the way, because you have to remove your shoes and the floor is rather dirty and the rats are sometimes running over your feet with their sharp nails. Depending on how interested you are in the secret life of rats you will probably spend somewhere between 15 minutes and an our in the complex and there is not much more to see in the surroundings. The internet site more or less sums it all up.

indiamike · Jul 17th, 2003, 03:35

All the regulars here know that I am going to suggest going to find the Ear Smoking Man in Bikaner.

I tried to convince a few members to find this guy and get some photos or a video and at the time I also had a televison program asking me if I could get a video on this.

If no one else finds this guy I will

Mike

beautysan · Jul 17th, 2003, 09:06

Ear Smoking man? Who is that?

kipling · Jul 17th, 2003, 15:06

Bikaner is an underrated place well worth visiting. Apart from a camel farm and the rat temple it has a great palace, and not too many tourists. Even the locals think the rat temple is something else. Seeing a white rat brings good luck. (Everyone sees a white rat.)
We were there in 1999 and stayed at a homestay place called "Little Doon House", Vivekanand School Rd. ( ph 0151-22309958). Cheap and friendly, and still sends us cards. The Tourist Reception Centre arranged it and no doubt has others.

Still, I don't suppose you will have much time for palaces. Don't have much affinity for camels, myself.

Unfortunately we missed the Ear Smoking Man. I note that he can also whistle through his nose. It may be that the priests at the rat temple thought that this array of talents posed an unacceptable risk of competition?

guerik · Sep 15th, 2003, 09:13

How do you hook up with the safari? I've had a look around on the net but can only find it as part of a longer tour. Does anyone know of any companies that do it or preferably a website?

Dodge · Sep 15th, 2003, 16:23

we were at the "rat temple" 3 days ago, whilst it was an amazing sight, it was nowhere near as "scary" as people would have you believe. we wandered around in bare feet and spent more time dodging the pidgeon poo than the rats who were all just chilling in the heat. We also stayed at Little Doon House (see my posting in hotel section) and Tony the owner is the most sincere, helpful person I have come across in my travels. He will give you all the advice you need to enjoy your stay. The fort in Bikaner is also very impressive and only 50 Rs to get in which includes a guide.

kipling · Sep 15th, 2003, 16:51

Yes, Little Doon House is great. Likewise Tony (Dilip). We have also corresponded with him since 1999, and at his invitation we will be staying with him in a few weeks time. It was wonderful talking with him and his family. Quite a rare experience for a tourist. Only problem was we seldom ate before 11pm or so, because both Tony and I are partial to a drop of rum, which tended to fuel the conversation!
Don't miss this place if you are going to Bikaner. Apart from camel safaris (nasty animals) Bikaner has a lot to offer.

wonderwomanusa · Sep 16th, 2003, 02:43

I've heard that the safari touts will find US as we get off a train in either Jaisalmer or Bikaner. Saw a message on TT this morning recommending "vino's" tours...so you can look there.

aathitya · Sep 21st, 2003, 20:17

Hi,

If you are looking for camel safari, I would suggest that you take the safari from Bikaner.

Bikaner offers great sand dunes and you may also see some desert wildlife.

Have fun!!!!!!!1

Jul 1st, 2003, 13:55	#1
beautysan Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 13	Bikaner Camel Safari I have limited time in India. But greedy as I am, I would like to take in anything and everything as much as possible. I won't have time for Jaisalmer camel safari, so is the 2 days 1 night camel safari from Bikaner a good alternative?

Jul 13th, 2003, 17:29	#2
npjai Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 167	Yes Bikaner's a good alternative. Another choice could be Khimsar if youre going there...the dunes there are great. __________________ Pax Vobiscum - May you go in peace!

Sep 16th, 2003, 02:43	#11
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,506	I've heard that the safari touts will find US as we get off a train in either Jaisalmer or Bikaner. Saw a message on TT this morning recommending "vino's" tours...so you can look there. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

Sep 21st, 2003, 20:17	#12
aathitya Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rajasthan Posts: 10	Hi, If you are looking for camel safari, I would suggest that you take the safari from Bikaner. Bikaner offers great sand dunes and you may also see some desert wildlife. Have fun!!!!!!!1 __________________ Package tour to Rajasthan, India >> http://www.aathitya.com

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Jul 16th, 2003, 15:21	#3
beautysan Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 13	Hey, anybody been to Karni Mata temple out at the desert around Bikaner? It's one of the highlights of the Bikaner camel safari. Am looking forward to see the rats! My travel mates are not too keen though... Check out this link on the Rat Temple: http://judypat.com/india/karnimata.htm

Jul 16th, 2003, 17:35	#4
PeteE Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Rotterdam, Holland Posts: 5	Hi beautysan I was there early last year. It is an intriguing experience with some great photo opportunities for the folks at home. Imagine some 30 rats sitting lined up on the edge of a large round pan sipping milk. And rats moving in and out tiny holes in the walls. Do bring (old) socks by the way, because you have to remove your shoes and the floor is rather dirty and the rats are sometimes running over your feet with their sharp nails. Depending on how interested you are in the secret life of rats you will probably spend somewhere between 15 minutes and an our in the complex and there is not much more to see in the surroundings. The internet site more or less sums it all up.

Jul 17th, 2003, 03:35	#5
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,759	All the regulars here know that I am going to suggest going to find the Ear Smoking Man in Bikaner. I tried to convince a few members to find this guy and get some photos or a video and at the time I also had a televison program asking me if I could get a video on this. If no one else finds this guy I will Mike

Jul 17th, 2003, 09:06	#6
beautysan Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 13	Ear Smoking man? Who is that?

Jul 17th, 2003, 15:06	#7
kipling Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia Posts: 78	Bikaner is an underrated place well worth visiting. Apart from a camel farm and the rat temple it has a great palace, and not too many tourists. Even the locals think the rat temple is something else. Seeing a white rat brings good luck. (Everyone sees a white rat.) We were there in 1999 and stayed at a homestay place called "Little Doon House", Vivekanand School Rd. ( ph 0151-22309958). Cheap and friendly, and still sends us cards. The Tourist Reception Centre arranged it and no doubt has others. Still, I don't suppose you will have much time for palaces. Don't have much affinity for camels, myself. Unfortunately we missed the Ear Smoking Man. I note that he can also whistle through his nose. It may be that the priests at the rat temple thought that this array of talents posed an unacceptable risk of competition?

Sep 15th, 2003, 09:13	#8
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	How do you hook up with the safari? I've had a look around on the net but can only find it as part of a longer tour. Does anyone know of any companies that do it or preferably a website?

Sep 15th, 2003, 16:23	#9
Dodge Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: London Posts: 2	we were at the "rat temple" 3 days ago, whilst it was an amazing sight, it was nowhere near as "scary" as people would have you believe. we wandered around in bare feet and spent more time dodging the pidgeon poo than the rats who were all just chilling in the heat. We also stayed at Little Doon House (see my posting in hotel section) and Tony the owner is the most sincere, helpful person I have come across in my travels. He will give you all the advice you need to enjoy your stay. The fort in Bikaner is also very impressive and only 50 Rs to get in which includes a guide.

Sep 15th, 2003, 16:51	#10
kipling Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia Posts: 78	Yes, Little Doon House is great. Likewise Tony (Dilip). We have also corresponded with him since 1999, and at his invitation we will be staying with him in a few weeks time. It was wonderful talking with him and his family. Quite a rare experience for a tourist. Only problem was we seldom ate before 11pm or so, because both Tony and I are partial to a drop of rum, which tended to fuel the conversation! Don't miss this place if you are going to Bikaner. Apart from camel safaris (nasty animals) Bikaner has a lot to offer.

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